Colleges Ordered to Pay INR 25,000 Monthly Stipend as per NMC Rules
New Delhi: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed five medical colleges in Jharkhand to pay Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) interns a monthly stipend of INR 25,000, as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines issued on July 12, 2023.
The five defaulting medical colleges are located in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Dumka, Hazaribagh, and Palamu. These institutions had refused to pay the FMG interns their due stipend and allegedly forced them to sign undertakings for unpaid internships, violating NMC regulations.
FMG Interns Struggle Amid Stipend Denial
Many of the affected FMG interns were Indian students who had been studying in Ukraine before the Russia-Ukraine war forced them to return home. To complete their mandatory internship, they were placed at:
- Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi
- Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH), Dhanbad
- Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital (PJMCH), Dumka
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH), Hazaribagh
- Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), Palamu
Despite clear NMC guidelines stating that FMG interns must receive stipends equal to Indian Medical Graduates (MBBS interns), these colleges refused to comply.
Supreme Court Steps In
In response to writ petitions filed by FMG interns, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the students, ensuring that they receive the stipend mandated by the NMC. The court also issued a stern warning to the medical colleges, stating that failure to comply with the order could result in serious consequences for the institutions involved.
This ruling is a significant victory for FMG interns, reaffirming their right to equal pay and fair treatment during their internships in India.
